The Grass Valley Animal Shelter Missed Opportunities

Recommendations 1

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  B1. The Grass Valley Animal Shelter should consult with other shelters regarding alternatives to euthanasia. The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future with an expected time frame of not more than six months. Dogo 2 of C 2.1 City of Grass Valley Grass Valley Police Department Grass Valley Animal Shelter Response to Nevada County Grand Jury C. HEALTH AND WELFARE OF ANIMALS FINDINGS: C1. The Grass Valley shelter does not use a volunteer program. Truckee and Nevada County shelters have active volunteer programs to supplement staff. AGREE C2. Hours for public access to the Grass Valley shelter are limited and inconsistent. DISAGREE - Hours of operation are consistent and readily posted for customer convenience. Hours are limited in part due to limited staffing levels and call response. Staffing levels have been reduced by one full-time supervising animal control officer position this past fiscal year. C3. Animals are not vaccinated and not generally quarantined upon entry to the shelter AGRÉE C4. No common area exists for cats to move about for exercise and socialization. AGREE C5. Dog enclosures do provide both indoor and outdoor accommodations. However, there is no established program for walking the dogs. AGREE C6. Limited or no bedding for the animals was observed. DISAGREE - Animals are provided with appropriate bedding. C7. A small amount of litter is provided in each cat cage. DISAGREE - Cats are provided with appropriate quantities of litter. C8. Unused space in the shelter was observed. AGREE - While space was not being used during visit, the space is used as ŧ needed and allows for public boarding of animals upon request. Space also allows for growth in shelter activities. : C9. Public boarding is allowed. AGREE р.Д City of Grass Valley Grass Valley Police Department Grass Valley Animal Shelter Response to Nevada County Grand Jury RECOMMENDATIONS: C1. Create a volunteer program at the Grass Valley Animal Shelter. Neighboring animal shelters could provide assistance in developing and establishing a program. The recommendation requires further analysis including, but not limited to, the identification of a job description and/or scope of work to be performed, development of training program, policy and procedures, and designation of supervision responsibility of a volunteer program at the Shelter. Program development includes review of related risks associated with volunteers in the handling of animals and any potential liability to the City. The Police Department is in the process of expanding its volunteer program. The program will ultimately be expanded to the Shelter. C2. Use volunteers to enhance and provide twice daily socialization and exercise for dogs. The recommendation requires further analysis including, but not limited to, the identification of a job description and/or scope of work to be performed, supervision of a volunteer program at the Shelter, related risks associated with volunteers in the handling of animals, and any potential liability to the City. C3. Extend and provide consistent public hours at the shelter. The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted based upon current and established public hours and limitations of staff personnel. C4. Vaccinate for basic diseases. The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted as the Shelter is not designed for the provision of medical care, long term boarding or diagnosis of animals. Taking on additional medical care of animals in not achievable under current funding levels. C5. Provide adequate bedding for the comfort of the dogs and cats. The recommendation has been implemented through past and existing practices. Care for animals is adequate and appropriate bedding material is provided. C6. Ensure there is sufficient litter in the cat cages to contain excreta. The recommendation has been implemented through past and existing practices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . City of Grass Valley Grass Valley Police Department Grass Valley Animal Shelter Response to Nevada County Grand Jury C7. Create a common area for cats utilizing available space. The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted and would allow for the greater potential exchange of disease, increased violence between animals and may allow not already spayed or neutered animals to cohabitate in the common area. C8. Discontinue public boarding. The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted and is not justified by the Grand Jury's report. This is a service that benefits the community and the Shelter. D. RECORDS MANAGEMENT FINDINGS: D1. An analysis of the Grass Valley shelter's intake records for fiscal year 2007/08 showed that intake/disposition records were not being completely filled out. These records are hand written and less than half of the animals could be tracked from intake to disposition. AGREE D2. No recent fee analysis has been conducted. DISAGREE - A formal "Cost of Services Study" was conducted in March 2005 by Revenue & Cost Specialists, LLC followed by a report submission to the Grass Valley City Council. Additionally, a fee analysis is conducted internally on an annual basis with any recommended adjustments being submitted for formal review and action by City Council. Minor fee adjustments have been made as part of the current budget approvals. The original fee analysis was not fully implemented and the City at the time determined to charge a reduced fee. RECOMMENDATIONS: D1. Completely fill out and automate records so that each animal can be tracked from intake to disposition. i The recommendation had been initiated prior to this report with manual completion of existing forms pending the complete automation of this function. . D2. Review and update the fee schedule to determine if fees are sufficient. The recommendation had been initiated prior to this report and is a recurring step in the annual budget preparation by the Grass Valley Police Department. GRASS VALLEY CITY COUNCIL Council Members 125 East Main St., Grass Valley, CA 95945 Lisa Swarthout, Mayor Jan Arbuckle, Vice Mayor Chauncey Poston Office of the Mayor Dan Miller Yolanda Cookson Daniel C. Holler, City Administrator A CENTENNIAL CITY November 20, 2009 The Honorable Robert L. Tamietti Presiding Judge of the Grand Jury 201 Church Street Nevada City, California 95959 Dear Judge Tamietti: Please be advised that the City of Grass Valley is in receipt of a letter dated November 4. 2009 from Robert Erickson - Foreman of the Nevada County Civil Grand Jury. In his letter, Mr. Erickson requests an update on the recommendations for Spay and Neutering services at the Grass Valley Animal Shelter in accordance with Section 933,05 (b)(3). In response to this item, I have confirmed with Captain Rex Marks of the Grass Valley Police Department that the Animal Shelter did, in fact, institute a program to address this issue in September. The Shelter secured agreements with several area veterinarians as well as Animal Save to provide services on an "as needed" basis. The Shelter now maintains a menu from which the customers may select a service provider that meets with their budgets. Animals are then transported to the selected provider by Shelter staff and picked up by the adopting customer. Thus far, the program has been relatively well received by customers frequenting our Shelter. Captain Marks and his staff will continue to monitor the program and ensure its success. On behalf of the City of Grass Valley, we appreciate the efforts of the Civil Grand Jury, Regards, Swallow Lisa Swarthout, Mayor Cc: Robert Erickson, Grand Jury Foreman Telephone (530) 274-4310 - Fax (530) 274-4399 www.cityofgrassvailey.com